To champion art as essential to life and give our community
a creative voice
From the President’s Desk
This month we bid a sad farewell to Cynthia Bunting, Youth Education Director. As part of her board responsibilities, Cynthia orchestrated the MBAA Summer Art program. She served as a liaison to teachers, managed class sign-ups and scholarships. Cynthia will be pursuing other career opportunities and she will be missed.
Gail Martin, Adult Education Director, has announced her departure as a board member, effective November. Gail orchestrates the monthly Activity Room calendar, schedules monthly demos, adult classes, workshops, excursions and class signups. Gail plans to continue helping in the management of the the Morro Bay Plein Air Festival!
Next month, MBAA will be accepting nominations for these and other board positions.
The MBAA Board of Directors continue to manage through the pandemic. Thoughtful measures have been taken into consideration. You’ll be happy to hear, MBAA will not be raising commissions, take-in fees or annual dues. We will weather this storm through the help of volunteers, steady financial planning and solid management practices.
The next exhibit, Seeing the Light, is designed for maximum exposer for all exhibitors! The expression, “every cloud has a silver lining” implies that even on the worst day, there’s something positive yet to come. Art and its creative spirit have the power to restore hope and optimism. Great art has the power to comfort, inspire and stir emotions. Exchange is set for August 4th, 10am – 2pm on the patio. We appreciate artists be prepared with pre-printed forms,wire tags, wear facial coverings and practice social distancing.
Trowzers Akimbo is teaching Abstraction and Multiple Viewpoint Perspectives, online! You may pre-register for this and other workshops on the MBAA website!
Whenever you take a class or workshop, exhibit artwork, or remain a member of MBAA, you are supporting Art Center Morro Bay, its programs and instructors! Thank you for supporting this amazing organization!
Patricia Newton
MICHAEL COSTA
A large part of Morro Bay Art Association’s ongoing success is its leadership. At the nucleus of this organization’s core, are people like Michael J. Costa!
Michael and his partner Brian, relocated to Los Osos, from the artsy community of Oakhurst California in December of 2017. Michael was actively involved in the Sierra Art Trails (much like the SLO Open Studios) where he shared his beautiful photography. Michael has exhibited his artwork in several galleries to include Gallery 5 at Gallery Row located in Oakhurst and has been honored with one-person art exhibits in other galleries outside the area.
With a love of travel and hiking, his portfolio includes photographs of Vietnam, Italy, Peru, Bolivia, Spain, The Netherlands, France, Portugal and Nepal. Michael has also put his skills to work as a wedding photographer.
An indispensable member of the MBAA Board, Michael has been Docent Director over a year and a half. Under Michael’s direction, the docent team receives monthly updates to include current policies and procedures.
While volunteering, Michael still finds time to pursue ongoing education at Cuesta College. Michael has shown an interest in becoming the next treasurer for MBAA.
We are grateful for Michael’s dedication and achievements. His beaming smile, cheerful demeanor and thoughtful considerations while making important board decisions are the extraordinary leadership traits that help make this organization a glowing success!
Gallery Director's Report
Dear fellow artists,
We are One. We are a visual tribe of resilient and creative people. Let us celebrate the Art of Being and each other at the same time. Let’s bring our works of art together for the next show. Seeing the Light through our eyes is our purpose.
Yours,
Barbara Sitar
LAST MINUTE CALL FOR ARTISTS Seeing the Light
New Exhibit August 6 - September 17
Open to all members and non-members
Open to all art forms
Take-in artwork on August 4 10am - 2pm
Morro Bay Art Center patio
Art Center Morro Bay is a board run, membership supported, non-profit organization. This unique gallery and its programs are generally managed by its own membership.
You may be looking to gain knowledge, advance career goals, network with other artists, make new friends or in truth, make the world a better place!
Board members don’t always come along with special skills and are not expected to be donors of money, just time. How much or how little is up to you.
Board members network with other artists within the community. Programs include (youth and adult art education, scholarships and events).
As a board member, you’ll gain a better understanding and deeper appreciation of your organization. Positions include, President, VP, Docent Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Gallery Director, Co-Gallery Director, Adult Education Director, Youth Education Director, Marketing Director, Membership Director, Hospitality Director and
Community Outreach Director.
In the event you are interested in one of these prestigious positions, you are welcomed and encouraged to submit your name in the upcoming email election nominations.
Here's proof positive that the mission statement of Art Center Morro Bay is spot on ...
to champion art as essential to life and give our community a creative voice
This art lover just casually walked into the gallery. With the help of Linna, owner of Coalesce Bookstore, who brought a ladder, he is now free in the tree in front of the Gallery. He was very inspired by the current exhibition!
Seeing the Light
August 6 - September 13 2020
The world around us would be bleak, except for the world within us. Art bears witness to this fact. #AloneTogether
The expression, “every cloud has a silver lining” implies that even on the worst day, there’s something positive yet to come. Art and its creative spirit have the power to restore hope and optimism. It has the power to comfort, inspire and stir emotions.
While we face a worldwide pandemic together, this exhibit celebrates our resiliency as humans in a variety of creative expression and extends itself to all media.
SEEING THE LIGHTwill be on display in both galleries from August 6 through September 14, 2020
*Image courtesy of Gail Martin
CREATIVITY DAYS/PLEIN AIR WEDNESDAYS
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Join Art Center Morro Bay Gallery Director Barbara Sitar for PLEIN AIR at Spooners Cove at Montana de Oro National Park. 1:00pm till sunset.
Bring your beach chair, art supplies, hat, face mask, snacks and drinks. Join fellow artists for a plein air creative afternoon at the beach within a safe distance. For more information: bsitar66@gmail.com or (617) 320-2956.
We are continuing this open opportunity to create together on Wednesdays, keeping a safe distance at the Gallery patio or local plein air locations.
Do you enjoy painting? Do you get stuck and are not sure how to take your work to the next level? Are you struggling to finish your work? Be part of a supportive and fun group of artists striving to improve their skills and work. Bring more enjoyment, camaraderie and better results to your art.
The class meets on Zoom six times a month. Allowing plenty of time and opportunity for instruction and feedback both in general as well as specifically for your particular piece. Cost is $60 a month
The mentoring program includes:
- 6 Zoom meetings a month
- Assignment video (about 10 - 20 minutes)
- Digital reference image
- “A Look at the Masters “ video (about 10 - 20 minutes)
- Access to our video library
Online Zoom meeting schedule:
Time: All Zoom meetings will take place @ 9 am PST and will be about 1 hour in duration
Days: Mondays - the 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month
Fridays - 4 Fridays each month
New Upcoming Classes
Head Painting Fundamentals
Starts August 10th
We will focus on the structure of the head. Starting with the large simple masses and working our way down to the features. This class is a must for anyone wanting to paint more convincing heads, animals or humans.
Working with a limited palette will allow us to put most of our attention into the structure ie. “drawing”. If you are new to head painting or ready to sharpen your head painting skills this is the class for you.
Major Topics that will be covered: Form, Edges, Edge Sequences, Focus, Paint Quality, Foreground/Background, Simplification, Major Masses of the Head, Introduction to facial features - Nose, Eyes, Mouth and Ears.
Each session of classes meet 6 times via Zoom
(2 Mondays and 4 Fridays) all at 9am.
The Patron Program
The Patron Program is designed to deepen your awareness, sensitivity and enjoyment of Fine Art. A video once a month is sent out taking a look at the masters paintings for insight. Cost is $10 a month https://www.jasonmayr.com/workshop/23391/patron-program
Mosaics – Choose Your Project Sunday, August 23
10:00am – 11:00am (KIT PICK-UP TIME)
*Please note, this is an at home class: Craft at your own pace from the comfort and safety of your own home using supplies and a video provided by Creative Me Time.
Choose your project from two types of hearts, a stepping stone, wine bottle, mirror or clay flowers in a vase. All projects are super simple and perfect for a beginner. Everything is provided to complete the project including the base piece, broken china pieces, baubles, glue, grout and how-to video, EXCEPT WHEELED NIPPERS (Wheeled nippers can be purchased from instructor). See project photos at www.CreativeMeTime.com
You choose your color of china plate pieces and baubles.
COST: Various
Resin Workshop – Choose Your Project
Saturday, August 29 AND September 5
10:00am – 11:00am (KIT PICK-UP TIME)
*Please note, this is an at home class: Craft at your own pace from the comfort and safety of your own home using supplies and a video provided by Creative Me Time.
Choose from a beach scene in an 11" x 14" frame, two resin necklaces, a memory box, beach inspired cutting or cheese board. Photos of projects are at www.CreativeMeTime.com
Joan supplies an assortment of shells, colored beach glass, glitter and resin to design your scene. After your design is complete, you will encase it in glistening resin. Preregistration is required at www.CreativeMeTime.com or by calling 805-286-5993.
COST: Various
Sea Glass Hammered Metal Jewelry August 29 AND September 5
10:00am - 12:00pm (KIT PICK-UP TIME) 1:00pm - 3:00pm (KIT PICK-UP TIME)
*Please note, this is an at home class: Craft at your own pace from the comfort and safety of your own home using supplies and a video provided by Creative Me Time.
Learn how to drill holes in sea glass, how to harden, strengthen and texturize metal and basic jewelry skills to create a gorgeous jewelry set.
No experience necessary. Everything is provided for the project including drilled local sea glass, 3 jewelry tools, metal, steel bench block, jewelry hammer and jewelry findings.
COST: $75 (Kit and how-to video)
Resin Workshop – Choose Your Project
Saturday, Sept 5
10:00 – 11:00 (Kit Pick-up)
*Please note, this is an at home class: Craft at your own pace from the comfort and safety of your own home using supplies and a video provided by Creative Me Time.
Choose from a beach scene in an 11" x 14" frame, two resin necklaces, a memory box, beach inspired cutting or cheese board. Photos of projects and pricing are at www.CreativeMeTime.com
Cost:Various
Everything is provided to complete the project. Preregistration is required at www.CreativeMeTime.com or by calling 805-286-5993.
Sea Glass Hammered Metal Jewelry
Saturday, Sept 5
10:00 – 11:00 (Kit Pick-up)
*PLEASE NOTE: This is an at home class: Craft at your own pace from the comfort and safety of your own home using supplies and how-to video provided by Creative Me Time.
Video includes how to drill holes in sea glass, how to harden, strengthen and texturize metal and basic jewelry making techniques to create a gorgeous jewelry set.
Cost: Various
No experience necessary. Kit options are available at www.CreativeMeTime.com which include local drilled sea glass, metal and jewelry findings.
Succulents - Choose Your Projects September 6
10:00am - 11:00am
*PLEASE NOTE: This is an at home class - everything is included to complete the project of your choice (except the succulent pumpkins) and a how-to video is provided so you can create at your leisure in the comfort and safety of your home.
Choose from two sizes of round wreaths, heart wreath, square wreath or a succulent pumpkin.
COST: Various
Kits are to be picked up at Art Center Morro Bay
835 Main Street, Morro Bay
Abstraction and Multiple Viewpoint Perspective with Trowers Akimbo
October 9 - 11 10:00am - 4:00pm
Learn from this amazing artist right from your home. Stay connected with other artists and have fun in this Zoom workshop.
In organic art, with its floating structure orbiting a nodal point, one invites multiple perspectives, existing in a similarly fluid temporal reality, which are assembled by the viewer to create a single composite image. Our gaze wanders through the picture, turning this way and that, zooming in, panning out, the image held together by its own internal design. We will be playing with tension between 2-D pattern and 3-D depth. We see it in the works of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
The workshop goal is to introduce and explore the fascination of Multiple Viewpoint Perspective and for each attendee to go home with an abstract painting of their own design. Learn more ...
ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU PRIOR TO WORKSHOP COST: $400. MBAA Members $425. Non-Members*
Making a Mosaic Trivet with the owners of
Cracked Up Mosaics
Anne Hodges and Paula Hulet
November 6 - 7 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Mosaics are works of art created by using glass or ceramic tiles and grout to make a picture. They date as far back as 1500 B.C. and are found all over the world. Mosaics adorn the ceilings in cathedrals with elaborate details but can be as simple as a beautiful trivet to adorn your home.
Anne Hodges and Paula Hulet will teach you step by step, how to make a mosaic trivet. Read more ...
Sunsets and Birds with Greg Trombly
January 17, 2021 1:00pm - 4:00pm
This course is designed to provide hands-on guidance to students and focuses on basic drawing and observation skills. Emphasis will be placed on composition, color, and value. Greg will begin each class with a short demonstration. Participants will then complete independent work from personal reference photos and Trombly’s guidance. Students are encouraged to bring a reference photo of a sunset, shoreline, or birds for these classes. Images, also provided by Trombly, available for your use. Read more ...
The Architecture of Light with Thomas Schaller
March 2021
Known for his “Architecture of Light” and with over one million followers, he has long been considered one of the foremost architectural artists in the world. In the field, he has won every major award for his artwork - including being a two-time recipient of the Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize.
In several days of demonstrations and discussion, along with a 3-day workshop, we will explore both the genesis and the completion of paintings in watercolor that are strong, clear, communicative, and that speak with your own authentic artistic voice. Skill Level Required: Intermediate to Advanced. Cost: $425 members/$450 non members
August 2020 Newsletter
